Cheney: Rangel Is ‘Losing It’
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

WASHINGTON – Vice President Cheney contended yesterday that Rep. Charles Rangel, the dean of New York’s congressional delegation, is “losing it” – striking back after months of verbal attacks from the Harlem lawmaker.
Mr. Rangel had criticized Mr. Cheney in recent interviews, saying the vice president, who has a history of heart trouble, might be too sick to perform his job.
“I would like to believe he’s sick rather than just mean and evil,” Mr. Rangel said last Friday on NY1.
In an interview with radio host Rush Limbaugh, Mr. Cheney, 64, suggested it was Mr. Rangel, 75, who may not be up to the demands of his job.
“I’m frankly surprised at his comments. It almost struck me – they were so out of line, it almost struck me that there was some – Charlie was having some problem,” said Mr. Cheney.
“Charlie is losing it, I guess.”
Mr. Cheney added to his criticism later in the day in an interview with conservative radio talk show host Sean Hannity. “I don’t know what I did to offend him, but he’s gotten pretty nasty lately…. I think Charlie is a lot older than I am, and it shows,” said the vice president.